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Small claims

Small claims court is a special type of civil court where disputes may be resolved more quickly and inexpensively than in other court proceedings. Small claims court is limited to claims of $10,000 or less. However, third-party complaints, personal injury claims, and actions based in tort are limited to claims of $5,000 or less. Claims exceeding the maximum amount allowed must be filed in civil court. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 799(external link) governs small claims actions.

The three most common types of small claims cases are:

Claim for money: civil actions where the amount claimed is $10,000 or less, if the actions or proceedings are:

For money judgments only

For garnishment of wages

Tort / personal injury action: where the amount claimed is $5,000 or less

Eviction action: Actions for eviction regardless of the amount of rent claimed

Replevins:

Non-consumer credit actions for replevin (return of personal property) if the property claimed does not exceed $10,000

Consumer credit transactions (for return of personal property that was the subject of a lease or credit from a dealer) when the amount financed is $25,000 or less

Replevin (recovery of property) - A case involving the return of personal property to an individual when either the property is valued at less than $10,000 or the credit or lease for the property is in the amount of $25,000 or less.

Forms

Small claims forms assistant
The small claims forms assistant site guides you through the process of filing a small claims legal claim in Wisconsin. By answering a series of questions this interactive site will help you to fill out necessary forms, print blank forms, or download a basic guide to small claims actions for each county.Go to small claims forms assistant.